Empress Of The Old World {Legend Of Korra}

Spirits

After Kuvira being so caring the night before, Sukara felt a little better. And less tired which helped as well. The feelings of anger and uneasiness were still present but, holding onto her girlfriend made her feel a little safer.

Her hand had been linked with Kuvira's for most of the day. It was only when a little girl came over to her did she let go. The child didn't say anything, she just gave her a folded piece of paper and ran off.

Sukara frowned, opening up the paper it revealed a picture of her face. It resembled an old propaganda flyer from her empire but, it looked new. Like it had been painted not that long ago. Why a little girl would have it was lost on her. The words "Empress of the five nations" written over it. Her title. The real one. Not some invention to date her in an ancient time but her actual title. Suddenly, her comfortable mood was gone. The pain taking over. A flame ignited in her hand, burning the paper so that no one else would see it. Part of her wanted to know why she had been given it but, mostly though, she just wanted it away from her. Out of her mind. Just gone.

"What was that?" Kuvira asked, watching the embers fall to the ground.

"It's nothing," Sukara said, brushing the ashes off her hand. She didn't want to argue but her attitude from the day before seemed to have come back with a vengeance.

"Don't do that," Kuvira sighed, "don't shut me out again."

"I'm not," Sukara argued, not wanting to talk about it.

"I--" Kuvira started but was cut off by Korra.

"Guys, can you fight later," Korra told them more than asked, "we have a problem."

The pair of them looked up to see a large black and purple spirit rampaging through the streets. The shouts of villagers and tourists began to fill their ears as the spirit broke stalls and growled at the crowds.

"Looks like some spirit bending is in order," Korra said, linking her fingers together and stretching them outward.

She was just about to run out to stop the spirit when Sukara stepped out in front of her. The spirit turned as she walked towards it, like it could sense her, and began to charge. Sukara remained unusually calm. As the spirit came closer, Sukara went into the Avatar state. Unsure of what she was up to, Korra stayed back, wanting to trust in her. Her eyes glowing red, Sukara reached out her arms as the spirit slowed its charge. Stopping just in front of her, it gave a small sniff and then it lowered its head and pushed gently into her chest. Gently, she stroked its head trying to calm it down, placing her own head on top, holding it in her arms. A display of compassion seemed to be all it needed. Slowly it changed back to its peaceful form.

"Or that could work," Korra said, surprised but very impressed by the way Sukara had handled it.

"Show me what's wrong," Sukara spoke only to the spirit, lifting its head with her hands.

The spirit turned and knelt down so that she could climb onto its back. Quickly, she climbed on and let it take her to whatever was making it angry, leaving the others just standing watching her.